Hi guys! Just a note, I went back and edited the complete shit out of this chapter. I'm still in the process of fixing the next few chapters too, just because my writing has gotten a lot better than when I first started this story (er, I mean I really hope it has) and this first chapter especially really sounded like complete garbage. You'll see the writing tends to get crappier in the middle but picks up with the latest chapters. Also while this chapter is written in present tense the next few aren't (I had some tense issues while writing, but that's one of the biggest things I'll be fixing in time.) But anyway, at least this one now it's actually readable. xD
Also, a friendly warning: this is an M rated story, it's going to have violence and gore (nothing too like OMG YOU CRAZY WRITER IM VOMITING ON MY KEYBOA- heavens no, but there is going to be blood and punching and kicking and... you've watched Naruto yes? Okay, about the same level of violence is gonna be here. Rahh. Annnndd, while there's not going to be lemons in this story, there's gonna be lots of lemonade if ya know what I'm sayin' har har... haaaaar. (That was a good one, amirite.) Bah, point is, I'm not comfortable writing about graphic banana going into graphic doughnut. Hoooowever, this is a romance (Spooky/Hurt/Comfort/Action/Mystery/Romance)! And romance you shall have.
But anyway! Thanks for clicking in, I hope you enjoy! :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto guys...
-x-...My Bloody Rose...-x-
-x-...Chapter 1...-x-
-x-...Feed The Machine...-x-
April 23, 11:46 p.m. - Behind an old movie theater parking lot.
He never wanted this... to be like this... a monster who took and took but the only thing he gave in return was more of his humanity. As a vampire it seemed that was all he was good for.
A savage string of pain consumes him out of no where again. These damn attacks were getting worse, moreover more frequent. His throat burns, swallowing dryly does everything but soothe it. The only way out now was to feed the hunger, but he was never one to give into his curse, even when it tore him from the inside, out.
He coughs up saliva all over the cement of the sidewalk, an involuntary reflex from the paralyzing hunger that he refuses to satisfy. He stumbles back against the brick wall of an old movie theater, his flee led him to an unfamiliar part of the city, but for now it served well to stay out of sight.
The night is accompanied by a full moon and calm winds seem to whisk stars across the sky. In the distance, looming clouds give away an imminent storm. The only thing stealing his concealment from the shadows are the lights of street lamps, but since it is a Wednesday night, business at the theater is slow, and whatever cars were visiting were parked by the front.
Still, if he didn't keep moving only moments stood in between him and his killer- his hunter.
He didn't consider his hunter an enemy though. A world with one less vampire would be a better place anyway... or so he would've liked it to be.
No, it was much more complicated than that. Worse things he had to take care of before himself. So for now he'd run and survive for the next fight.
He inhales deeply, blood is his only escape. Disgusting, and hideous blood. At the thought of it his body seizes and his breath hitches. He clutches at his chest like he could hold himself together somehow, cursing himself for being what he is.
Itachi… Damnit!
A car's sound activates and he hears the clicking noises of a pair of heels quickly make their way closer and closer, disrupting the quiet of the night. His eyes snap up anticipating to see the hunter, but the person running towards him is nothing more than a blurred mess in his eyes- a pink mess, and with a form too small to resemble the man after him, or any man.
An unusual lust takes over him the closer she comes. Her scent sweet and welcoming sends his world spinning. He had to have it, he had to have her- no one else.
"Excuse me, are you okay?!" A female voice calls out, "I'm a doctor I can help, tell me how you feel..." But her words are lost to the madness in his head. She stands in front of him now, so unbearably close, but his black hair hides his blood thirsty eyes from her. He steals a sideways glance at the woman and finds a gentle face with eyes bright and emerald and framed by sunset colored locks.
The girl places her hands on his shoulder and arm and leans over. There, her pulse beat rhythmically through her fingertips. His gums swell and his canines grow out, a foreign will makes him push off the wall and take a step towards her.
"Get away...from me..." His words come out in a growl, erupting from a voice he isn't familiar with but still his all the same. "Go!" He barely chokes out. Please, before I kill you.
But his warning comes too late. He moves on pure instinct- pure maniacal instinct, whatever will of his own he had to hold onto was gone.
"What? But you-" In a swift movement he snatches her wrist and slams her against the wall. A gasp escapes from her lips and before she can scream his other hand quickly covers her mouth; his body presses against her back and locks her in place.
His lips brush her neck as he runs his tongue along her skin. The sounds of her struggle fade into the background.
And his fangs sink into the curve of her neck. Not a single drop of blood slips his mouth while he takes from her and savors the thought that what was hers is now his. All of her- now his.
The woman in shock is hardly able to move, but the pain is real and it frightens her. Desperation and adrenaline give her strength and she stomps on his feet and thrashes around but nothing draws any response from the man. His hold feels tighter, or rather she becomes weaker with every passing second.
But Haruno Sakura was stubborn, and with her free hand she tugs at his arm covering her mouth. She fights until the loss of blood eventually leaves her numb and she is forced to lean back against him, her head falling on his shoulder. She fights as her vision slowly fades to black, she fights as her eyelids fall heavy, she fights and fights but her efforts aren't answered. A single tear runs down her cheek.
And her body goes limp in his arms, the sound of her heart gets slower, more distant...
The realization hits the man hard and fast once his hunger dulls. His arms fly out behind him as he crumples to the floor in fear, the girl falls with him onto his heaving chest.
His wide eyes slowly wither from a vibrant red to an empty, black sea and settles on the unconscious woman on top of him.
A chill runs down his spine. Did I... did I kill her? He hesitates to check from the fear of such a truth, but after spying the subtle rise and fall of her chest relief washes over him.
She's still breathing. He shuts his eyes, the rush of human blood after he'd abstain from it so long left him buzzed.
There isn't time for him to recover, he hears another set of footsteps cross the parking lot- his hunter.
There was no greater need than the need to get out of there, now.
Move! Somehow overcoming the frigidness in his bones he carefully takes the unconscious girl into his arms. He couldn't just leave her there, especially when he knew all too well the protocols she'd have to face once the hunter found her. Plus there was the chance of one other thing... He quickly pushes aside the thought.
He stands with the girl just as the hunter's footsteps stop behind him.
His hunter, one of the best vampire hunters out there so to speak, is the same man that used to be his best friend, used to be his partner when he was a vampire hunter himself. They had been a deadly duo once; many knowing their names across branches of the organization for never once failing a mission. But now, now they were just prey and predator, vampire and hunter. None of the bonds they once had or experiences they shared mattered anymore.
Even through it all, he still was a vampire hunter inside, his mindset never wavered on that. Surprisingly, as much as the two used to bicker and fight- if it wasn't for certain things he had to do- he wouldn't mind being killed by his former friend. Not yet, I need more time...
"Sasuke." The hunter's voice is bitter and strained as he calls out his name, but Sasuke, unable to face him straight on, holds his gaze on the pale girl in his arms instead. A drop of blood trickles down over her shoulder from the two holes in her neck, and of course, his forever accursed desires don't let it pass him.
Sasuke draws in a deep breath but still cant bring himself to face his friend. Keeping his head low, he looks over his shoulder slightly, intent on listening to what the blonde man had to say.
"Naruto..." Sasuke responded. An uncommon feeling of envy takes over him then. Naruto had always been lively as long as he'd known him- actually, the crazy guy always went well over the meaning of energetic. Now though, to Sasuke, he is more than that. He is alive. He is human. And Sasuke would give anything to be human again.
Naruto stands just a few yards away and holds an anti-vampire shotgun with one outstretched arm. His expression is fierce, and he seems to read right through Sasuke's mind and heart, all through the corner of wild blue eyes.
"I'm sorry... Sasuke..." His words are as cold as ice; the tension in the air makes it difficult to breathe.
"Not yet." Sasuke doesn't let the slightest hint of emotion show through his words but there's a tightness in his chest he can't get rid of.
"…"
Naruto's finger squeezes the trigger.
The wooden bullet flies but misses Sasuke's back on a whim and collides with the theater's wall.
Naruto clenches his jaw and turns around, his long, beige trench coat flows behind him with the wind. He touches a finger to his ear piece and connects with his newly assigned partner.
"... Sasuke's vanished. I'm coming back over to you, chasing him any farther will put too much distance between us. Also, he's taken a person with him, I couldn't see who, but it was a victim, dead or alive unconfirmed. How are you holding out?"
"Not so good. You'd better get here fast."
"On my way."
He grips the handle of his gun with white knuckles. Knowing Sasuke can still hear him with his acute hearing, he gives him one last sentence before taking off in a sprint.
"I will find you Sasuke. And when I do... I promise, I'll end it."
Well, yes, I published this story a few years ago and never finished it. I have my reasons...
But fear not my loveys, I'm back and hoping to post regularly.
Please click the next button and go forth with your destiny (which is reading the next chapter). I'm happy to receive constructive criticism and opinions on anything and everything that will help me improve my writing. So thank you and review, review, review! :D